Kickstarter Link: http://bit.ly/SDrop
Produced and Directed by Lisa Rein.
"From DeadDrop to SecureDrop" chronicles the path of the original prototype, DeadDrop, that Kevin Poulsen and Aaron Swartz first created, and then, after Aaron's death, how that prototype made its way to the Freedom of the Press Foundation, via Trevor Timm, John Perry Barlow, and Micah Lee, and became "SecureDrop."
It will also explain why having something like SecureDrop is such a vital tool for exposing corruption around the world, during this modern age of mass surveillance. Besides illustrating how SecureDrop provides an anonymous platform for communicating securely with journalists, the film will also examine the role of whistleblowers, and how their actions can improve the public's quality of life, all around the world.
I've already interviewed Kevin Poulsen, Garrett Robinson, Trevor Timm, Micah Lee, Brewster Kahle, Cindy Cohn, John Perry Barlow, William Budington, and Virgil Griffith, for this film. Since I've recently learned that Kevin's original idea was inspired by Wikileaks, I'm planning on going to Berlin to interview Wikileaks Volunteer Jacob Applebaum, and hopefully, a few other key figures in this space, while I'm over there.
It is my hope that, as people begin hearing more and more about SecureDrop, and begin to wonder what it is, who created it, and where it came from, this film will provide an explanation and a greater understanding of the complexities surrounding these issues.
I'm hoping that this film, and even the Kickstarter campaign leading up to its completion, will result in a greater public awareness of whistleblowers and the important role that they play in society, so that future whistleblowers might be able to better weigh their options, when they find themselves aware of something corrupt that endangers the public good.
